Lockheed Martin has been awarded a preliminary $4.7 billion contract by the U.S. government to expand production of its Patriot interceptor missiles, the company said Friday.
The contract covers continued production of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement, or PAC-3 MSE, a key component of the U.S. Department of Defense’s air defense systems.
The agreement builds on a longer-term effort to significantly increase output, following a seven-year deal aimed at more than tripling annual production as demand rises amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
The PAC-3 MSE interceptor is used in the U.S. Army’s primary air defense system and is a cornerstone of missile defense for both the United States and its allies.
Supplies of the system have come under pressure in recent months, particularly due to heavy usage in regional conflicts. The missiles are also critical to Ukraine, where they are used to defend infrastructure against ballistic missile attacks.
Despite the planned production increase, supply constraints are expected to persist in the near term, with officials indicating that shortages are unlikely to ease this year.
The growing demand for the system extends beyond current conflict zones. Earlier this year, the U.S. State Departmentapproved a potential $9 billion sale of PAC-3 MSE systems and related equipment to Saudi Arabia.
The contract underscores the increasing importance of air defense systems as countries respond to evolving security threats and intensifying regional conflicts.
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